Thin ice claims the life of a Gjoa Haven hunter

A Gjoa Haven man died Oct. 11 after falling through thin ice into frigid water about 32 kilometres north of the community.

James Qingnatuq, 58, went through the ice at about 9:30 p.m. after he and his companion, Allen Kaloon, had become lost while out caribou hunting.

Kaloon was the first to fall through the ice, although Qingnatuq was able to pull him out. The two then continued to search for a way off the ice but Qingnatuq then fell through the ice, said an RCMP news release.

Kaloon “made an heroic effort to rescue him but was not successful,” said the Oct. 15 news release.

Kaloon was able to find his way off the ice after about 11 hours and contacted the Gjoa Haven RCMP detachment.

The police investigation revealed that this event was a “tragic accident.” No foul play is suspected, police said.